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Organization
of Floyd County
Floyd County was created by the
Texas Legislature in 1876. The Fort Worth and Denver City Railway Company
began building westward from Wichita Falls, resulting in increased
settlement of the area. Ranchers T. J. Braidfoot and J. R. McLain formed a
partnership in 1887 to establish a town they hoped to promote as county
seat. Named Della Plain, it soon boasted homes, businesses, and civic
institutions. As more homesteaders settled northwest of Della Plain, a town
named Lockney was created in 1889. Soon there was rivalry over which town
would be named county seat. In 1890 M. C. Williams and J. K. Gwynn selected
this site for a town called Floyd City. In an election held on May 28, 1890,
the voters chose Floyd City as county seat. Officers elected were: Arthur B.
Duncan, County Judge; John C. Hendrix, County Attorney; R. T. Miller, County
and District Clerk; D. W. Jenkins, Sheriff and Tax Collector; E. E. Keeley,
County Treasurer; L. C. Darby, Tax Assessor; W. M. Massie, Surveyor; and C.
F. Ramsey, T. B. Michael, W. R. Vandeveer, and B. P. Merrell, County
Commissioners. When a post office was established in September, the name of
the town was changed to Floydada. (1990) |
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Dolphin Ward Floyd
When this county was
created in 1876, it was named in honor of Dolphin Ward Floyd (1804-1836). A
native of North Carolina, Floyd left his home in 1825 and arrived in
Gonzales, Texas, about 1832. He married Esther Berry House and they had two
children. In February 1836, Floyd, along with 31 other Gonzales residents,
answered Lt. Col. William B. Travis' call for help at the Alamo in San
Antonio. During the battle that ensued, Floyd and his comrades were killed
fighting for Texas' independence from Mexico. Texas Sesquicentennial
1836-1986
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